Vietnam concerned about rising violence and casualties in Myanmar

During a regular press conference held on March 11 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hang said, “Vietnam urges all parties to exercise restraint, not to use force, and settle divergences through peaceful dialogue. Vietnam wants the situation in Myanmar to return to normal for the benefit of the Myanmar people, and for peace and stability in the region,”

“Vietnam also shares ASEAN's common stance stated in the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on the Developments in the Republic of The Union of Myanmar dated February 1, 2021, as well as in the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on the outcome of the informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on March 2.

Vietnam will continue to co-operate with other ASEAN member states in an effort to find a solution to the Myanmar issue. The country has also asked the Myanmar side to ensure the safety of lives and legitimate interests of Vietnamese people and businesses in Myanmar,” the official added.

With regard to the current situation for Vietnamese citizens residing in Myanmar, the Minister believes that there are approximately 600 Vietnamese people living, studying, and working in Myanmar.

Due to the ongoing complicated situation in Myanmar, following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Myanmar has been closely monitoring updates relating to the situation, and has frequently been in close contact with local authorities in order to provide updated information, offer recommendations to citizens in a prompt manner, whilst also taking addition steps as part of citizen protection measures.

Also at the press conference, in response to a reporter’s query on Vietnam’s position on a Freedom House report that again lists it in the group of countries that are not free, Hang affirmed that Vietnam’s unwavering policy is to protect and promote human rights, including fundamental rights to freedom specifically stipulated in the Constitution 2013 and many related legal documents.

In recent year, the nation has continued to complete its legal and policy framework and implemented a range of specific measures to better ensure human rights and citizen’s rights while actively becoming engaged in international cooperation in human rights.

For example, she went on, within the framework of the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council in 2019, many countries participated in sessions related to Vietnam, and a majority of them appreciated the country’s efforts and achievements, backed its way of approach, and made constructive recommendations.